Jefferson Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C., August 19, 2024 – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) today celebrated the $4.2 million congressionally directed spending grant the City of Birmingham is receiving to expand the reach of its Real Time Crime Center.

This funding was secured by Senator Britt in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, which passed the Senate and was enacted into law on March 9, 2024. The award was formally announced by the Department of Justice this week.

The City of Birmingham will use these funds to purchase additional cameras and install them in high-crime areas. They will be used by the City’s Real Time Crime Center to support local and state law enforcement officers and their ability to respond more quickly to crimes in progress or those that recently occurred, aiding in crime prevention and apprehension.

“This $4.2 million award will see Alabamians’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars return home to support local law enforcement efforts and community safety in Birmingham,” said Senator Britt. “I’m proud to have secured these funds during the 2024 Appropriations process, and I look forward to continue working on the committee to invest further into our state and communities.”

“We are grateful to Senator Katie Britt for supporting our city with these funds,” said Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin. “Every day we work to keep our community safe. We utilize every possible tool, including teaching conflict resolution in all our schools, partnering with organizations for re-entry support and developing hospital-linked violence intervention. This support of the Real Time Crime Center – where we marry innovation with traditional policing tools – will expand the eyes and reach of our officers and make for quicker response times. It takes a community to fight crime and we are grateful that Senator Britt is a part of the community working to make Birmingham a safer place.”

In Fiscal Year 2024 Appropriations bills, Senator Britt supported approximately $7 billion in Alabama investments and priorities. This included the $4.2 million in congressionally directed spending awarded this week.

After the legislation passed, the City of Birmingham celebrated the funds and voiced their appreciation for Senator Britt’s support.